The Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board has announced plans to launch a Mpox vaccination campaign in affected Local Government Areas affected by the outbreak.
Health Educator at the SPHCB, Isah Yusha’u, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the introduction of the monkey pox vaccine in Kaduna.
Yusha’u explained that the board is taking proactive measures to curb the spread of the disease and safeguard the health and safety of residents across Kaduna State.
He revealed that several Local Government Areas in the state have reported a notable number of monkey pox cases, prompting the need for immediate intervention.
In response, he said the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners, had approved reactive vaccination for high-risk groups.
“The vaccination exercise is scheduled to begin tentatively on Aug.10 or 11, and will run for 10 days in the selected LGAs.
“A second round of vaccinations will follow four weeks later”, Yusha’u said.
He further said the vaccine will be prioritised for high-risk individuals, including: Laboratory personnel who may have handled infected specimens, People with compromised immune systems and Individuals with high-risk sexual behaviour.
“To ensure the success of this vaccination drive, we are engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and medical institutions.
“This is to provide accurate information, address concerns, and encourage public acceptance of the vaccine,” he said.
He appealed to the public to embrace the vaccination exercise, assuring that distribution would be strategic and focused to ensure maximum impact.
“By launching this campaign, the board is taking proactive steps to combat the monkey pox outbreak and safeguard public health,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that participants at the stakeholders’ meeting included health workers, religious leaders, social mobilisation officers, trade union representatives, and members of the media.
Abubakar Musa, the Coordinator of Jama’atu Nasril Islam in Kaduna North LGA, also addressed participants.
Reflecting on the experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, he urged the public to support the monkey pox vaccination campaign.
Musa emphasized JNI’s role during COVID-19, particularly in curbing misinformation and promoting adherence to safety protocols.
He stressed the vital role religious leaders play in public health initiatives and reaffirmed JNI’s commitment to ensuring a balance between religious obligations and health interventions.
NAN
